Brendan Daly (Fianna Fail)

I congratulate the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, on her appointment and wish her every success in the job. I raise the issue of Clonlara national school at which Senator Dooley and I attended a meeting on Thursday last of up to 400 parents and the chairman of the board of management. There is widespread concern with the delay. Some indication was apparently given that the school project would begin last year but that work did not commence and there is fear that it will be put off again this year. The project is at the architectural planning stage. At present over 300 students attend the school and many have classes in the PE hall which is not suitable.

I will not labour the point as I am sure the Minister is already fully aware of the situation. However, I want the school included in the budget for this year and want a beginning to the work. Clonlara is a rapidly expanding area with a large population. The area has many children but the school relies on prefabs and a PE hall for classes. I ask the Minister to use what influence she has to draw the attention of the executors of her office to the urgency of the situation so that action might be taken this year.